Apparatus for making tubs or the like



R. M. CHESNEY APPARATUS FOR MAKING TUBS OR THE'LIKE Oct. l2, 1948.

Original Filed Nov. 29. 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 f ZZ JigSA.

ROBERT/7. 5)

R. M. CHESNEY APPARATUS FOR MAKING TUBS O R THE LIKE oct. 12, 194s.

Original Filed Nov. 29, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 5m., 5 www fam Na eZw,VcMrc l U y/ @www M45 ma. N wad@ w QN mg@ MJ W@ *www J Patented Oct. 12,1948 APPARATUS FOR MAKING TUBS OR THE LIKE Robert M. Chesney, deceased,late of Alliance,

Ohio, by Jane L. Chesney, executrix, Youngstown, Ohio, assigner to ITheAlliance Porcelain Products Company, Alliance, Ohio, a corporation ofOhio Original application November 29, 1941, Serial N o. 421,014.Divided and this application April 5, 1945, Serial No. 586,718

3 Claims.

This invention relates broadly to the art of drawing sheet metal and, inparticular, to the manufacture of a generally cylindrical article suchas a washing machine tub or the like, by drawing and shaping flat stock.More specically, the invention concerns the manufacture of a tub for awashing machine of the skirted or jacketed type.

This is a division of the application filed by Robert M. Chesney,SerialNo. 421,014, on November 29, 1941, for Method for making tubs orsimilar articles, which matured into Patent 2,378,982 on June 26, 1945.

Washing machines having an exterior jacket or skirt spaced from the sidewall of the usual cylindrical tub have certain advantages from thestandpoint of appearance and prevention of heat loss, over conventionalmachines having exposed tubs. -It has not been possible, however, priorto this invention, to produce a tub suited for cooperation with anenclosing jacket or skirt. The invention comprises a novel apparatus formaking tubs specially adapted for skirted or jacketed machines,characterized by a laterally extending, downwardly curved iiange at thetop of the side wall and a contracted neck therebelow, the flange beingadapted to rest on a rim flange on the upper edge of the enclosingjacket or skirt. The flange on the upper edge of the side wall of thetub-'constitutes a continuation of the curvature f the tub cover whichis usually of mushroom shape and presents therewith a streamlinedappearance lacking any exposed edges or angles.

In a preferred practice of the invention, the inventor provides agenerally cylindrical blank having a laterally extending flange, bydrawing flat stock. The inventor then subjects the side wall of theblank adjacent the ilange to a shaping operation, thereby producing aninwardly contracted neck joined to the remainder of the tub by adownwardly curved connecting portion. The inventor also provides araised shoulder above the neck. The laterally extending ilange is thensubjected to a die-shaping operation to impart to it a downwardcurvature. The extreme edge of the downwardly curved iiange is then bentinwardly to form an edge bead.

The apparatus which the inventor prefers to employ for the several stepsof the method includes shaping rolls for forming the neck and shoulderand the edge bead. The inventor utilizes a segmental shaping die and acooperating die ring for imparting to the laterally extending flange thedownward curvature necessary to provide a smooth transition from thecontour of the washing machine cover to that of the jacket or skirt.

The invention may be more fully understood from a consideration of thefollowing detailed description and explanation which refer to theaccompanying drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment and practicementioned above. In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a central transverse section through a tub blank as producedby the initial drawing operation, from nat stock;

Fig. 2 is a partial axial section through a pair of cooperating shapingrolls which the inventor utilizes to form the inwardly contracted neckand the shoulder upstanding therefrom, adjacent the upper edge of theside wall of the blank;

Fig. 3 is a partial radial section through the segmental die andcooperating die ring which the inventor utilizes to impart the downwardcurvature to the laterally extending flange;

Fig. 3A is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the die in its extremedownward position;

Fig. 4 is a partial plan view of the die and cooperating ring;

Fig. 5 is a partial side elevation thereof;

Fig. 6 is a View similar to Fig. 2, showing the shaping rolls forforming the edge bead on the downwardly curved iiange; and

Fig. '7 is a partial side elevation, with a portion in section, showingthe finished tub and parts of the cover and enclosing jacket or skirt.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the inventor iirst produces atub blank I5 from flat stock by conventional drawing procedure. Theblank I n is generally cylindrical and includes a bottom II, side wallI2 and a laterally extending flange I3 at the upper edge of the sidewall, which lies substantially in a plane normal to the axis of theblank. After the blank I o has been drawn, the iiange I3 is trimmed to asuitable widthA by any convenient method or apparatus.

The blank is then subjected to a shaping operation between cooperatingrolls I 4 and I5 which work on the side wall I2 adjacent the flange I3.The rolls I4 and I5 have cooperating portions I6 and Il which are curvedconvexly and concavely respectively. The roll I4 also has a groove I8with which cooperates a bead or rib I9 on the roll I5. The roll I4 alsohas an oiset 20 cooperating with a similar offset 2| in the roll I5.

The rolls I4 and I5 are initially spaced apart and are brought togetherafter the blank Ill has been appropriately positioned therebetween. Asthe rolling of the side wall I2 o'f the blank adjacent the flange I3proceeds, the rolls I4 and l5 are brought closer together until theyfinally reach the relative positions shown in Fig. 2. This operationimparts an inward curvature to the portion of the side wall engaged bythe curved portions I6 and I1 of the rolls. This portion of the shapedblank designated 22 is concave downwardly, i. e., toward the tub bottomII and terminates in a contracted neck 23 formed by the cooperation ofthe groove I8 andthe bead I9. At the same time, the offsets 29 and 2lAof the shaping rolls produce a raised shoulder 24 upstanding from theneck 23 and spaced ashort-distance outwardly thereof. The ange I3 issubstantially unaffected by the shaping of the side wall adjacentthereto by the coaction of the rolls I4 and I5. In other words, theshaping of the side wall is effected by deforming the latter alone. Theshaping rolls, furthermore, produce a smooth surface on the downwardlycurved portion 22 of the s ide wall, free from wrinkles or buckles,despite the fact that the neck 23is formed by contracting the side wallfrom its original position. Since the upper portion of the side wall I2is rolled between the Mcoacting surfaces of the rolls I4 and I5, thedeformed portions of the side wall have the contour ofsurfaces ofrevolution.

After shaping the portion of the side wall I2 adjacent the ange 'I3 -asabove described, the inventor next imparts to the -flange a downwardcurvature by means of die-forming apparatus shown in Figs. 3 through 6.This apparatus includes a die base 25 on which is secured a die ring 26having a conca-ve surface 21 on the inner side thereof. A punch 28cooperating with the ring 2.6 includes a reciprocable shoe 29 having aplurality of segmental blocks 3D pivoted thereon and provided withdepending shaping portions 3I conforming to the contour of the surface21of the ring 26. As best shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the shoe 29 has recesses32 spaced 'circumferentially thereof in which hinge blocks 33 aresecured. Cooperatinghinge blocks A34 are securedto the segmental blocks33 `and a -hinge pin 35 extends through aligned holes'in the overlappingportions of the two hinge blocks. `By this construction, the blocks y3f]maybe swung outwardly to clear the side Wall I2 of the tub blank, asindicated in chain lines in fFg. 3.

To effect the shaping of the Vflange I3, the blank I -is inverted anddisposed with the ange on the ring 23. A centering ring 36 is verticallyslidable on guide pins '31 spaced circumferentially of the base `25 andis normally held in its uppermost position by compression springs 38. Asclearly shown in the drawings, the outside diameter ofthe ring 36 isslightly less than the inside diameter of the shoulder 24 formed in theside Wall of the'tubl blank.

When the blank has been ypositioned as described, the punch shoe 29 isforced downwardly into -engagement with the flange I3. It will beunderstood that the base 2.5 is preferably the platen or work-table ofa-suitable press and that the lpunch shoe 29-is Carr-iedonthereciprocating head of the press. 4As .previously explained, the blocks30 are swung-outwardly as `they descend past the lower part of theinverted blank and the side wall adjacent thereto. `On engaging theflange I3,-the blocks are swung inwardly to the position-showndnFig-s. 3and 3a. The'bottorn-o-f the shoe 29 is partially bevelled as at A39 topermit the blocks 30 to swing outwardly. At the same time, theunbevelled portion of the bottom of the punch limits inward movement ofthe blocks.

As the punch shoe 29 and the segmental blocks 39 descend after thelatter engages the flange I3, the flange is progressively shaped to thecontour of the cooperating surfaces of the portions 3| of the blocks andthe surface 21 of the ring 2G. The centering ring 36 is forced downagainst the pressure of the springs 38 as the blocks 30 descend.

When the shaping of the flange I3 as described has been completed, thepunch shoe 29 is retracted. The blocks 30 again swing outwardly to clearthe side wall of the blank. The ring 31 rises under the pressure of thesprings 38 and lifts the blank from the ring 25. When the punch shoe 29has been sufficiently retracted, the blank may be removed from thepress.

At this stage, the blank has, in addition to the downwardly curvedportion 22, the contracted neck 23, and the upstanding shoulder 24, anoutwardly and downwardly curving flange designated 49, which is concavedownwardly or toward the bottom ofthe tub, the same as the curvedportion 22 of the side wall. The blank is thus ready for a nal flangeshaping operation which is effected by cooperating rolls 4I and 42 shownin Fig. 6.

The roll 4I has a concave surface 43 bounded by a shoulder 44. Thecurvature of the portion 43 is slightly greater than that of the surface21 of the die ring 26. The roll 4I also has an outwardly curving surface45 between the portion 43 and the shoulder 44. The ring 42 has a groove45 to receive the neck 23 and a rim or bead 41 to engage the shoulder 24of the blank.

As in the case of the rolls I4 and I5, the rolls 4l and 42 are initiallyspaced apart sufficiently to admit the ange of the tub blank. When theblank has been positioned between the rolls they are brought vtogetherand rotation thereof serves progressively to shape the flange 49 to itsfinal curvature and to bendinwardly the extreme edge thereofdesignated-48. When this operation has been completed, the blank has theappearance shown in Fig. 7, disregarding the circumferential grooves inthe Aside walls adjacent the bottom and the steppedcondition ofthebottom.

Fig. 7 clearly illustrates how the downwardly curved flange 4Uconstitutes-a continuation of the contour of the cover 49 and provides asmooth transitionbetween the edge thereof and the upper edge of asubstantially cylindrical jacket or skirt 5U. The jacket has an inturnedflange 5I on which the bead 48 rests, with a gasket 52 therebetween.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description and explanation thatthe invention provides a simple but thoroughly practical method andapparatus for making tubs having a laterally extending downwardlycurving ange adapted to harmonize with the contour of a mushroomshapedcover andprovide a smooth surface joining 'the cylindricaljacket orskirt to the cover, thereby enhancing the appearance of the complete tuband eliminating unsightly joints. Since the bead 49'is bent sharplyinward, the space between it andthe skirt-is barely visible, In anyevent this space is filled by the gasket 52 leaving a smooth exteriorwhich can readily be cleaned. The invention provides .asuccess'ful meansand method for accomplishinga difficult shaping operation without anydetrimental effect on the blank such as tearing the edge or leavingbuckles Although only a preferred embodiment and practice of theinvention has been illustrated and described, it will be understood thatchanges in the construction and procedure disclosed may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for deforming a at flange extending laterally from acontracted neck in a generally cylindrical member comprising a. die ringhaving a at surface adapted to engage the flange and a dished surfaceinwardly of the flat surface, against which the flange may be shaped, aplurality of segmental die blocks having inwardly projecting tonguesadapted to engage the flange within the side wall of the member andforce the flange against said dished surface, and pivotal mounting meansfor sai-d blocks whereby they swing outwardly to clear said side Wall.

2. The apparatus defined by claim 1 charac' terized by yieldablesupporting meansV effective to center the member relative to said ring.

3. The apparatus defined by claim 1 characterized by said tongues havingWorking surfaces conforming in shape to the vdished surface of saidring.

JANE L. CHESNEY, Eecutrzx of the Estate of the late Robert M.

Chesney.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,605,284 Rollason Nov. 2, 19261,823,961 Voge1sang, Sept. 22, 1931 1,942,666 Schwartz Jan. 9, 19342,216,433 Conner et al Oct. 1, 1940

